In other news, the section of Krytos Trap I started with over lunch today immediately began with Nawara discussing how 267 Duros were found dead on Coruscant at the hands of Imperials. Frighteningly relevant

a_g: That's not really fair -- American TV has had something of a renaissance over the last decade. In fact, I can't tell you how many stories I've read in British papers where the Brits bemoan the fact that they're losing the quality TV war with the US. And I say this despite having 75% of my Netflix queue being British shows and movies

You're totally right about the news aspect though, on ever level. European news in general is just... better. Part of me wants to learn German so I can read Der Spiegel.

@Ulicus -- how about this, you let HM the Queen rule us, and I'll consider it even I still haven't forgiven you guys for letting us win that revolution!

While I'm too young to be saying any of this definitively, I'd say the state of quality television has never been higher than it has in the past five years. Here's hoping it only gets better, and more varied.

While I'm too young to be saying any of this definitively, I'd say the state of quality television has never been higher than it has in the past five years. Here's hoping it only gets better, and more varied.

I'd agree, but given the quality of most television series prior to that point, it's not exactly a difficult achievement.

Agreed, though I think it's very noteworthy that, for the first time in cinematic history, the writing level of some of the better TV series is arguably as good as, if not better than what the film industry is doing. Only a few years ago, no one in their right mind would prefer something like A Song of Ice and Fire adapted for television over film; now the former has become a viable, and for many people preferable option.

Jello, past ten to fifteen years then, if you'd prefer, but I'd still argue the last few years have only built on past successes. Oh, and shame on you for leaving out The Wire

Jello: you're right at least to a point; after a long period of time in which I could have said without much exaggeration that I had not been familiar with any TV show produced after 1998, I have recently discovered some great shows in the form of The Big Bang Theory and Community, and I've got TF.N to thank for that. I also just added Parks and Recreation to my Netflix queue after reading so much praise for that one.

I was mainly referring to the proliferation of reality TV which has infected our programming like some horrible virus since the turn of the century and has even spread to our cable channels (the History Channel? Really???). I think that phenomenon has done more to degrade the quality of our programs than anything else.

As far as news, I've got the apps for Le Monde and El Mundo on my phone along with BBC; it's fun to read what they aren't reporting here. Plus it helps me to stay trilingual.

Yeah, no matter how many great TV series are made, Sturgeons Law is always there, watching you while you sleep. So it's only natural that for every Breaking Bad or Mad Men, you'll get a Jersey Shore or Two and a Half Men (sorry, couldn't resist). That's why I don't watch TV, at least not how most do; I just watch the shows that I know will be good, and then never when they air.

Only a few years ago, no one in their right mind would prefer something like A Song of Ice and Fire adapted for television over film; now the former has become a viable, and for many people preferable option.

heh. To this day it still blows my mind that it's a TV series, and that the characters from it are now household names. It's crazy.

instantdeath said:

Oh, and shame on you for leaving out The Wire

Only 'cause I haven't scene it, despite being constantly told it's the best show ever. Everyone and their mother liking a thing is a way to make me not want to watch it, which is why I'll never watch Dr. Who

That said, I might watch The Wire eventually... I'm just not big on police procedurals and stuff.

Only 'cause I haven't scene it, despite being constantly told it's the best show ever. Everyone and their mother liking a thing is a way to make me not want to watch it, which is why I'll never watch Dr. Who

That's what I've been told... and I guess I just need to sit down and try it. Problem is I have so many other shows to keep up with already, and unless I got paid full time to just watch TV (sweet!) time is a huge barrier to getting into another big drama.